I. Dilated Cardiomyopathy Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition of the failing heart where ventricles of the heart are dilated accompanied with decreased ejection fraction. Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of death and disability in industrialized nations. Approximately 4.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease and another 550,000 new cases are…
I. Problem/Condition. Overview, pathophysiology and revised universal definition Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), colloquially known as a “heart attack”, is death of myocardial tissue due to protracted ischemia. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (US) and increasingly even in developing countries. Globally, it accounts for 12 million deaths annually.…
Chest Pain I. Problem/Condition. Chest pain accounts for approximately 5 million emergency department visits annually, and can be a difficult diagnostic challenge. II. Diagnostic Approach. A. What is the differential diagnosis for this problem? Cardiac causes of chest pain Ischemia – stable angina, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction*, coronary artery spasm, aortic stenosis Non ischemia…
